Floor-scrubbing machine.



MVH. CRAPSEH.

FLOOR SCRUBBNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MA\ 29. \9l5.

Patented Feb. 6, 19W.

- lmms.

4 SHEETSwSHEET l.

M. H. CRAPSER. FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE.

vAPPLICATION FILED MAY29,1915. n,

Patented Feb. 6, 191..

' 4SHEETS-SHEET2 N. HY CHAPSE-R.

FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE.

APPUCATION FILED 51u29, 1915.

Patented Fe10.6,1917l 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

@moa who@ power.

unirse erases reruns? onirica.

MURE/IS H. CRAPSER, 0F YQRK, N. Y.,'ASSIGNOR TO EMMOR J'. STEW'ART, 0F NEW i YORK, N. Y.

FLGR-SCEUBBING MACHINE.

Leraars.

Specification o Letters latent.

y @atented Feb. 6, 1917.

l Application led May 29, 1915. Serial No. 31,099.

`.1 o aZZ whom t may concern.:

Be it known that I, Mouais H. Cuarenta, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of N ew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Floor- Scrubbing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My `improvements relate to floor` scrubbing apparatus of y the rotary cylindrical brush type, and more particularly 'to those,Y

in which electricity is utilized as the motive rlhe main object of the invention is to afford a non-reversible, one way, floor scrubbing machine of relatively light weight and simplicity of structure, adapted to conditions and Situations where the use of the heavier reversible machines is inexpedient.

The invention consists essentially in the specific construction and arrangement of parts described and claimed, distinctive features beingpthe use of means whereby the motor is stopped automatically when the propulsion 'oil the machine is. stopped, and started automatically just prior` to the beginning of the forward movement of the machine; whereby the Wear of thebrush is compensated finnland the aprons held in slight peripheral contact therewith under all conditions ot' use; whereby the supply of water to the brush is regulated and controlled; and other details hereinafter more Lfully set forth.

VIn the accompanying drawings, liigure l,

is a top view of my improved scrubbin (Y 2*: machine, parts being' shown as broken away and in section; Fig'. l, is an enlarged sectional detail View of interlocking parts of the handle; Fig. 2, is a side elevation, with most of the handle omittedgFig. 3, is a de tail view of electric switch mechanism suitable for use iu the automatic control of the motor; Fig: el, is a top view of the apparatus with' the tank removed; Fig. 5, sectional elevation upon a. larger scale showing` the apron control` water supply mechanism, Sec., in detail; Fig. (3, sectional elevation upon a scale larger than Fig. 2, with parts broken away; Fig. 7. a sectional elevation taken upon plane of line 7 7, Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a sectional elevation taken upon plane of line 8-8, Fig. 6": Fig. 9, is adetail of the brush manipulating handle; Fig. l0, a perspective Fig. ll, a detail perspective of the water control. Fig.- l2, is a transverse section taken upon plane of line l2wl2, Fig. 11. Fig. 13, is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the structure shown in the upper portion of Fig. ll.

'lhe carriage frame of the machine is essentially rectangular in general configuration, consisting of the front member y", the rear member and the side members f2, f3. This frame is supported on front rollers or wheels w, w, and on rear rollers or wheels w, fw, which latter are caster-mounted.

The tank T, rests' at the rear on a cross beaini f4, secured to and extending between" the side members f2; "l, of the carriage frame 14h-and at the front on 'top of the two parallel channel angle irons f5, f5, which are rigidly supported on the cross bars f2 secured to and between said side members f2, 7', of the :traine F,-the bodyy of the :tankr T, fitting the space between the upper edges of the end and side members of the frame ll, and acting as a cover to the motor M, brush B, and other operative parts below, as will vhe seen more particularly by reference to Figs. l, el, and 5. f7, is also a cross bar rigidly secured to and between the side members f2, f3, of the carriage frame F, near the lower medial portion thereof, and f8, a rock shaft similarly situated and mounted in and between said side members/2, f3.' The motor M, is supported on the cross bar f7, and rock shaft y, as will be understood by reference more pzurticularly to Figs, 5, and 'lhat is to say the base plate m, on which the motor M, is mounted is formed with biiuieated' arms m', fm', which straddle the cross bar 7'?, andwith lugs m2, m2, to which is pivotally connected a brace rod ma, the lower bifurcated end of whichv straddles the rock shaft f8. The brace rod m3, is preferably made adjustable in length. so as to afford a. small margin of lateral adjust` nient for the base plate m, and motor M, for the purpose of taking up any undue slack of the sprolelret chain (represented by the line ma) which transmits motion from the motor M, to the brush B, which is also adjustable within certainlimits in thearc of a circle of which the cross bar j", is the center.v

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The brush B, is mounted to turn loosely penders a, (l, are .pivotall y supported on'ainis 4 -c, of, rigidly attached tothe roclrshatt ff,

which latter also acts as the tulcrum tor the rearwardly projecting lever c, by which the position of the brush jl, as related to theY l tioor, is regulated.

To facilitate this ad- ]ustment the rear end of the lever may be ivotally connected with a manipulatingy andle o", the upper end of which protrudes through the rear member f', of the carriage `friii ii'e i", as shown more particularly in l4 ig.

' 6.`. .'It'is evident that as 4this manipulating handleA e3, islowered the brush suspenders o, a, through the medium of the lever 1,

rock shaft f", and arms c', c', will he rocked on.. their supporting pivots f2. f, to raise the forward portions of said Suspenders (L, fa, and vice versa; and'for this reason means are 'provided for adiustably securing the manipulating link c. in prescribed positions, so as to control the peripheral juxtaosition and contact ot' the cylindrical brush with relation to the floor, or other surface to be scrubbed. 1

Various mechanical expedients may be resorted to for holdingthe handle (f1, in different-positions, and 1 do not wish to limit myself in this respect. As shown in the drawings the hand-le a, is formed with a seriesof holes or notches 0*, for engagement with v'a stud f, on the inner side o't the rear member f', of the carriage frame lf, a spring fle, also. attached to the inner side of Said rear member f,'ot the frame, being utilized to yieldably maintain engagement'between stud f, and handle c, while allowing thc latter to be rocked forward against. the 'rc- 1 Sistance of s-iid spring to disconnect the handle from the stud f, for purposes ol'.

adjustment. By this means the brush may be raised from contact with the tlooi'. or the Extent ot' contact therewith ma be changed or varied to meet requirements. and to compensate for peripheral wear ot' the brush,-all important functions in the practical and effective operation'of the apparatus.

Another important function in connection with the Suspenders a., arms` c', rock shaft f8, lever c, and manipulating handle c". is theirutilization asa means of controlling and insuring suitable peripheral contact oi the brush B, with the splash apron eZ, interposed between said brush and the splash receptacle c, it having been found through practical investigation that -a slight, delicate, but positive Contact between brush and apron is essential to prevent drip, and to otherwise attain the best results. To this end the side fianges d', d', of the splash BEST AVAILABLE coP -t'oriiied with'protuherances 'or shoulders (l2. `((1,icorcontactual engagement with the in cliiied planes f r,rn,on .the Jfronts ot' the suspeuders a, u., as showiringlfgs. 5, t3, and 8. Jlhese controlling surfaces a', of', are inclined lupward vandfbackwardfrom the forwardeXti-einity:of-each suspender u, so that as the latte 'g-are-lowt'iedcto 'compensate, say,

for the peripheral wear otpthe/brusli li. the

upper portioiiotthe splash apron il, will he allowed toapproarh and contact with the brush more closely, which it doeshy reason otelastic resilient pressure applied to the upper part ,of `the :tpl-on. which pressuretends constantly to thrust the apron against vthe periphery oi the brush, thereby (the brush rotating from right to left, or inversely as related to the direction ot travel of the apparatus) insuring the sweeping up over the apron il, and into the receptacle c, of all water, dirt, splash, &c.` ln this couuectionit is to benoted that the side or end lianges d', of -the apron yrl, prevent side wash."

The elastic' resilient pressure applied against the upper part ol the apron rl, to insure contact with the periphery of the brush may be maintained by the ilse ot various Imechanical expedients, either directly pr indirectly. in the arrai'igeinent disclosed in the drawings I show this pressure as applied indirectly to the apron nl, through the medium of the splash receptacle c, the rear edge of which bears against the forward edge or side ot' the apron, and the elastic resilient pressure being afforded by retrac tile springs r/, interposed between stationary partsvol' the apparatusJ and the said splash receptacle c, which latter is moralily supported upon the framework. rl`hus, n the construction shown in the drawings. the splash receptacle c, is slidalily mounted upon and between the parallel channel plates fi', 7"', (heretofore referred to as rigidly attached to the cross bars f", f,)- b v means of side straps n', c', which engage with thc lower tianges of the. channel plates f, ff', S0, as to' support the weight of the receptacle while permitting it to obey the impulse of the springs y, y, and impingewith its rear edge against the apron fl, as will be underles stood more particularly by reference rto sure a delicate but positive Contact between apron 'and brush periphery, while at the same time the thrust of thesprings g, g, is limited andA sustained by the Suspenders a, a..

.The splash apron d, is provided at its lower edge with the flexible scraper da, for Contact with. the floor; and is otherwise constructed to act as a medium of transfer of water, dirt, &c., from the ioor into the splash ifo receptacle e, as will be seen by reference more particularly to Fig. 5.. The springs g, g, may be attached either directly to the splash receptacle e, or indirectly thereto, as shown .in Fig. 6, through the medium of a link g', pivotally attached to the receptacle e, and to the forward member f, of the carriage frame F. The sprinkling pipe s, is supported upon and between the side members f2, f3, of the carriage frame, so as to extend in vfront of and i1i` close proximity to, the splash apronorl. It may be supplied with water from the tank T., on one or both sides of the apparatus. Ijherein show the means ot supply arranged on the right hand side of the app'aratus adjacent to the side member f, of the carriage frame, with the understanding that the Same or equivalent means may be duplicated on the opposite side of the appieV ratus adjacent to the side member f2, it' desired.

As shown particularly in Figs. 5, and 6, the sprinkler s, is connected by a pipe s,

with a stationary funnel s2, attached to stud i s?, or other support on. the inner side of the side .member f8, of the fram'b F. An inter- 'handle, which latter is provided with a, I

mediate movable funnel t', telescopes with this stationary funnel s2, and is supported on a rocker arm z", extending radially from the rock fulcrum t2, pivotally supported on A.the side member f3, of theframe F. l*The* rocker arm* t", carries "a valve sterne'f, to which is attached the valve i", which is seated normally on the outlet port t, oi the tank T, by means of a spring t', interposed between said valve 4, and the valve cage t2. The arm z", and fulcrum ft2, are rocked against the resistance of the valve spring t', and of the auxiliary'spring fr?, by means of a lever arm i, rigidly attached to the rock ful-A crum 2f-said auxiliary retractile spring 5, being attached to said lever arm t, and 'to the side member f3, of the frame, or other stationary part. The lever arm i, is in turn :actuated by the bell crank lever j, through .the medium of the connection rod j; and the bell crank lever y', is controlled in posi- ,tion by means 'of a c ord, wire, or equivalent 7'2. To this end, the upper arm et the bell crank lever may be bifurcated as shown in Fig. 11, to straddle a ball or shoulder j, on "the pull cord 7'2, and the upper endl of the latter maybe attached to a cross rod 7c', upon' a sleeve 7c, .slidable on the member h', of the The electric motor M, is controlled b v a switch N, interposed in. the circuit n, n', by

which the said motor is supplied with an actuating current in a manner well known in the art, it not being deemed necessary herein to show the actual connections with the motor,-the main point in this connection being the method in which the electric circuit n, n, is automatically closed when the propulsion of the machine is begun and automatically opened when propulsion ceases, so

that the brush is in operation only during the actual travel of the machine, thus avoiding the'wear and marking of the floor by the continuous vrotation of thc brush after the travel of the machine has stopped. This is an important functional improvement since it has been found that otherwise the continuous rotation of the brush is apt to produce a perceptible effect upon the floor or other surface under treatment if the machine is not kept constantly on the move, which of course is not always practicable. Hence I provide elastic resilient means for opening and closing the electric switch N, `and this may obviously be accomplished by resort to well known mechanical and. electrical expedients. Thus, by way of illustrating the principle involved, and without desiringA to limit myself to this particular construction and arrangement of parts, I show herein diagrammatically a switch adapted for the purpose and actuated by a rod yi, controlled by a retractile spring` 7), and by the handle of the machine. The side members l1., 7a.', of v'the handle are ln'et'crably formed oi hollow tubes, into the upper ends ot', which iit telescopically the ends itx, oi the transverse member it, of said handle considered as a whole. The ends LX, may be slotted longitudinally and coupled to the side members L, t, by pins as indicated in Fig. la, or any other mechanical expedient may be resorted to to connect the inturned ends 71%, ot' the transverse member slidably with and upon said side members it, t. The springl 7;,

'so that the pressure will be equalized on both sides ofthe handle.

The switch rod p, is attached, for instance, to the end k* of thetransverse mem- "in 'the manner wvll known in the art.

ber h2, that tits into the left hand member lz. of the handle, so that the springt,r p', (or springs [1. j/,l tend constantly to push the transverse section It, and said switch rod outward. in which position the component parts of thil switch N. willbe in the posi' invinbvr i'i. ot thv handle is pressed forward to yvtl'vvt thv propulsion ot' the machine7 -it will compress' tbv springs p. and cause the switch rod p. to slnt't thv thrust rod over into thv rvrvrsv position against the resistanvv otf'fthv sprin} `r n, which latter however.

""tt'fnds4 to hold thv thrust lvrer in either position as soon as varrivd past the fulcrum n, This rvrvrsal ot' thv thrust lvrvr n, causes its frvv vnd. bi' reason ol' its contact with the projvvtiun lf. on tbv bridgrv member 11"'. to thrust tbv latter into'viunxgement with the contacts n. n. thvrvby closingr thv vlvetric circuit, and rotating thv motor M, and hence thv brush lh ()`n thv rvlvase otl thv transverse nivnlat'. of tbe handlvl` the springs p. rvtwcu th`v parts to their normal posi; lions. again opvuili;T thv circuit n., u. and cutting' out thv motor .\l, and brush l. 'lhe quick thrust switch mechanism shown in Fig. or the vtpiiralvnt thervot, is preterabl)- usvd to prvrvnt sliarlring. thv., and may be included in a switch box N'. attached to thv sidv mvmbvr ot' thv. handle. as indivatvd in l"i; 1.

What l claim as nn' inrvntiou and desire to svvurv by livttvrs latcnt is.

l. ln scrubbing apparatus oil thv charaelvr designated thv combination with the \\'hvvlvd carriage t'raniv. ota motor mounted thvreon. a svrubbint"A brush actuated b r said motor. suspender lnvnxbvrsv upon and bvtwvvn thv toi-ward portions ot' which said brush 'is' niountvd. said suspvndvrs being pirotallv supportvd upon and bvtwvvn thv side mvmbvrs ot said varriat'v traine. a roclt shaft mountvd upon and between the said 'incur bers ot thv carriage. rocker arms rigidly attachvd tbervto. and pirotally supporting: thv

4forward portions ol" said brush Suspenders,

and a lvrvr tor rocking said rochr shalft. t'or the purpose described. l 2J ln scrubbing' apparatus ot' the character designated the combination with the wheeled carriage trame. ot a motor mounted thereon. a scrubbing brush actuated b v said motor. suspender members upon and between the forward portions ot' which said brush is mounted, said Suspenders being pivotally supported at their rear portions upon and between the side members of,A said carriage BEST AVAILABLE oor` -.tra1ne, a rock shaft mounted upon and between the side members of the carriage rocker armsrigidly attached thereto and pirotally supporting the forward porti ns of said brush Suspenders, anda lever for rocking' said rock shaft, for the'purpose described.

3. in scrubbing apparatus of the charac` ter designated, ethe combination with the wheeled carriage frame', ot amotor mounted thereon, a scrub )inggbrush actuated bysaid motor, suspendermembers u )on andbetfween the forward portions ot' which saidbrush is mounted, said Suspenders being pivotal l'y supported at their lcar portions upon and between the side members ot' said carriage frame, a'rock l'shaft mounted upon and bttwven they side members oi theearriage, rocher arms rigidly'attached theretogand pirotall'r snpportingthe forwardportions of said brush suspenders,;u lever for rocking saidy rock shaft, and means for securing said lvrerin a prescribed position, comprising an adjustable manipulating link and latch mechanism. tor the purpose described. 4. In scrubbing apparatus of the charac-4 ter designated. the combination with the wheeled carriage frame, ot' a motor mounted thereon, a scrubbing brush actuated by said motor, suspender members upon and be- 9F.

tween the forward portions of which said brush is mounted. said suspenders being pivotally supported at their rear portions upon and between the side n'iembers et' said carriage trame, and means for adjustably supportinlgr the forward portions of the suspvndvrs for the purpose of regulating the peripheral contact of the'brush and com pvnsating tor wear th'ereot, substantially as set forth. i

:3. 11i-scrubbing apparatus' ot the charactvrdvsignatvd, the combination with the wlievlvd carriage trame, of a lcylindrical brush. a motor t'or actuating the same, susx pvndvr members upon and between thv t'or- 'ward portions otwhivh said brush is mountvd. said suspvndvrs being l'virotally supportl vd at their rear npon,;nul lxtwven the side invn'ibers of the carriage frame, qmeans for 'adjustably supporting the forward portions ot said suspvnders, SaidsuSpenders being tormvd with frontal inclined surfaces.y a.

splash apron the lower p rtionot which is pirotallysupported uponfand between the sidv nxvinbvrs of the carriage l'rzunv. l said apron being arranged toljeoutiiet with the y frontal inclined slirtidesfonfle Suspenders,

. in close proximity to the brush and adapted to Contact with the periphery thereof, a, siidable splash receptacle contacting with the upper portion of said splash Hapron, and elastic resilient means for pressing said splash receptacle against said splash apron,

for the purpose described. f

7. In scrubbing apparatus of the cheesec-` ter designated, the combination of g. ey1indiical brush, a, motor for rotating the seme, a splash apron and a splash receptacle en ranged in conjunction with said brush to receiv'e the splash therefrom, a liquid reservoir,

a. sprinkler 'positioned in front of said brush and ineens foeieeting and contro'lling 'the supply of liquid from said reservoir to said I sprin 1er, consisting essentially of a stan tionary funnel attached to said sprinkler, :i movable' intermediate funnel mounted on a rock shaft, and a, valve the stem o'f which is mounted on the same rockshaft and zon.'

adapted to control the flew of liquid from the reseifvir, and means foi:v rocking said 

